An exploding market that demands more attention: Women’s Health & FemTech. Women’s healthcare products and services are tracking to become a $1 Trillion global market by 2027. The menopause sector has grown by 74% in just the last 5 years. Historically, this hasn’t been the case. As of 2018, only 4% of R&D funding went to FemTech. According to McKinsey and Pitchbook, 0.1% of all Femtech funding went to menopause management and only 7% of Femtech companies address menopause care. Lack of awareness and education have long been barriers to funding and innovation: • Most OBGYN residents receive less than 4 hours of menopause instruction. • Women experiencing menopausal symptoms either don’t realize it or are dismissed when they express them. • HRT (Hormonal Replacement Therapy) is an effective treatment, but its risks have been misrepresented, stifling its popularity. It’s an injustice. And a missed opportunity: • Women control 80% of healthcare spending in the US • Women spend 25% more of their life in poorer health than men. Now? With transparency on social media and increased self-advocacy, the trend is changing. Influencers and celebrities opening up about their menopause journeys on social media have helped demystify what women experience, and what can support them through it. Real symptoms – hot flashes, insomnia, vertigo, fatigue, arthralgia or myalgia, headaches, palpitations, and more – are being validated and treated. Innovators in this space have an edge: While customer acquisition is relatively harder, customers tend to be stickier. For example, Otsuka’s acquisition of Bonafide in Nov 2023 was a strategic move to acquire a smaller company with great IP and a trusted brand. These are a few more interesting players in the menopause sector: • Embr and Moona, focusing on sleep management • Mina Health and MBody, for self-testing and wellness • Gennev, for virtual care Brands like these will play a role in transforming how we address pivotal care for women. My takeaways: The conversation around menopause and women's health is changing. It's time for innovators to step up and meet the growing demand.
Long overdue and wholeheartedly agree - enormous opportunity. Legions of women will benefit - can't come soon enough
I am seeing a ton of focus also in the male health tech space! We are actually running a syndicate now for a company that is helping men freeze their sperm.
100% agree
A lot to takeaway here. Thanks for sharing!
Founder at Insight Partners
1moAttention to women’s health is growing, but funding gaps and education barriers persist. Quality, evidence-based information is crucial for progress.